Rep. Mike Vereb supports Pennsylvania State Police

HERSHEY — Rep. Mike Vereb (R ­— 150th Dist.), along with Gov. Tom Corbett, state police Commissioner Frank Noonan, state lawmakers and more than 100 state police cadets gathered to applaud the legislature for supporting funding for the state police, which includes two new cadet classes.

Based on projections, there will be approximately 500 vacancies by June 2013 due to retirements and attrition that will need to be filled and the group gathered to voice a commitment to supporting state troopers who patrol more than 80 percent of Pennsylvania.

“Proposals to increase state police funding died under the former administration, but thanks to Gov. Corbett’s leadership, the legislature worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that the Pennsylvania State Police has funding for 100 new cadets this year under the 2012-13 state budget,” Vereb said in a statement. “Public safety is one the most important jobs of any government and securing adequate funds to fight crime in communities across Pennsylvania is one of my top priorities, without increasing spending or implementing any new taxes on our hardworking citizens.”

The legislature has already begun passing laws in order to provide adequate funding for police. In June, Act 124 of 2012 was passed, which changes how revenue from state police-issued traffic tickets will be used and is expected to generate more than $4 million annually to pay for new cadet classes.